Lemon Herb Baked Cod with Green Beans – A Tasty Delight!

Name: Lemon Herb Baked Cod
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 pieces (about 1 lb) Cod Filets – Look for fresh, ocean-scented filets.; 2 tablespoons Olive Oil – Helps with seasoning and flavor.; Juice of 1 Lemon – Fresh is best for flavor.; 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (parsley, dill, etc.) – Use a mix or any you prefer.; 2 cups Green Beans – Fresh or frozen, coated in oil.

Posted on August 24, 2025

Lemon herb baked cod served with fresh green beans and garlic butter

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How to Make Lemon Herb Baked Cod
Ways to Serve This
Tips & Tricks
Dietary Options & Substitutions
Storing Leftovers
Common Questions
Wrap Up: Give Lemon Herb Baked Cod With Green Beans a Try!

Ever stand in your kitchen staring down a pack of fish like, “Now what?” Yeah, I’ve totally been there. Lemon herb baked cod with green beans saves me every time. This dish is easy, tastes like a five-star restaurant in your very own home (seriously, try and prove me wrong), and is light enough that you won’t need a nap thirty minutes after dinner. Let’s be honest, we all need more of those easy wins at dinnertime, don’t we? When all you want is a quick meal that’s good and won’t mess up your whole kitchen, honestly, you can’t beat this.

How to Make Lemon Herb Baked Cod

Okay, so I’ll admit—I’m not some recipe robot. I’ve forgotten a thing or two sometimes (salt, looking at you). But the good news? Lemon herb baked cod is pretty forgiving. First, get yourself some fresh cod filets. If they smell ocean-fresh (not fishy, yuck), you’re good. Plop them on a baking tray lined with parchment or foil.

Rub the cod with olive oil, then pat on a mix of chopped parsley, dill, or whatever green herbs you like (even dried stuff works in a pinch). Squeeze lots of lemon over the top. Sprinkle sea salt and pepper, and honestly don’t be shy—cod loves seasoning. Tuck green beans all around the fish, toss them in a bit of oil and pepper. Slide the whole thing into an oven at 400°F and bake about 15 minutes or until your cod flakes easily and the beans look cooked but still kinda crisp.

And listen, sometimes I’ll toss a few cherry tomatoes in too for pops of flavor or get wild with capers. This is your kitchen, you make your rules.

“I’ve made your lemon herb baked cod three times this month. Never thought I could pull off something this fancy… and yet my family goes nuts for it!” – Kelly R., Milwaukee

Ingredient Amount Notes
Cod Filets	4 pieces (about 1 lb)	Look for fresh, ocean-scented filets.
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons	Helps with seasoning and flavor.
Lemon Juice	Juice of 1 lemon	Fresh is best for flavor.
Fresh Herbs	1/4 cup (parsley, dill, etc.)	Use a mix or any you prefer.
Green Beans	2 cups	Fresh or frozen, coated in oil.

Ways to Serve This

Let’s be real—not every dinner needs to be an event. But if you want to make this feel special, even just for yourself, here’s what I do:

Serve straight off the tray with more fresh lemon slices, and maybe a sprinkle of extra herbs.
Pair it with a side of rice, garlic bread, mashed potatoes or, heck, whatever you have.
Try throwing some crispy potatoes in the oven at the same time—seriously, top-tier move.
If you’re feeling healthy-ish (well… trying), a simple green salad works really well with the lemon vibes.

Easy, right? You could totally whip this up on a random Tuesday or plate it up all fancy when guests pop over.

Tips & Tricks

Okay, I’ve messed up dinner more times than I’ll ever admit, but here’s what works for me. Always pat the cod dry before seasoning—lets those flavors stick. Don’t overbake! The second the fish flakes with a fork, you’re done. Overbaking turns even the nicest fish into a sad rubber band. Also, cut the green beans close to the same size and coat them well in oil. They’ll roast up nicely that way.

Fresh herbs are great but dried still get the job done—just use a little less. If you want deeper flavor, marinate the cod with the herbs, oil, and lemon for about fifteen minutes. But let’s be honest: sometimes I just wing it with a fast seasoning-and-bake and it’s still awesome.

Dietary Options & Substitutions

Food allergies or dietary preferences? You’ve got choices, trust me. If you can’t do cod, swap in haddock, tilapia, or even salmon (just cook a few minutes longer for salmon). For gluten-free or dairy-free diets, this lemon herb baked cod already has your back—there’s nothing in here to set off alarms.

Looking for more protein? Toss chickpeas with the beans. For extra color, rainbow carrots or sliced red peppers look great and taste even better. If you want fewer carbs, skip the side starches and pile on more veggies. I don’t mess with success, but you do you.

Storing Leftovers

Let’s be real, leftover fish isn’t everyone’s jam. But if you do have extra, store it in an airtight container in the fridge—no more than two days or it’ll get weird. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, but go easy or it’ll dry out.

I’ll often use leftover lemon herb baked cod in a salad with cold beans and extra lemon. Sounds odd, but I swear it’s tasty. Just don’t freeze the green beans, they turn mushy. Trust me, made that mistake last winter.

Common Questions

Do I have to use fresh cod?

Nope. Frozen works fine, just thaw it first and pat dry really well.

Can I prep this ahead?

Sure can! You can season the fish and beans, cover, and keep in the fridge a few hours before baking.

Is this dish kid-friendly?

Honestly, yes! The flavors are fresh and not spicy at all. Even my picky nephew ate it.

What herbs are best?

Parsley and dill are classic, but use thyme, cilantro, or basil if you like—there are no hard rules.

Can I add other veggies?

Definitely. Zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, or even asparagus will all roast up great with the fish and beans.

Wrap Up: Give Lemon Herb Baked Cod With Green Beans a Try!

So there you have it. Lemon herb baked cod with green beans is that go-to dinner when you want fresh, fast, and fuss-free. You get simple prep, almost zero cleanup, and that moment where everyone at your table looks impressed (even if it’s just you—treat yourself). If you want more inspiration, check out this recipe collection for even more cod ideas. Let me know if you try it—honestly, I’m rooting for your kitchen win!